Listening and service...

I was reminded by a bookmark I have had for many years the importance of passing unseen through others lives. It stirred this entry in my heart.

Listening...an underused, undervalued, underestimated activity. Asking more questions of the one we are engaging with, helping that person feel heard, loved, important, special. That burden weighing heavily on their hearts that they presented with is most surely a time to energize the ear lobes..not the tongue.

When we are serving is it to let the world of Facebook know how wonderful we are? If so maybe we need to check in with our true motives. Shouldn't we be invisible to the world? Doesn't the person we are helping deserve and desire a moment to share, to shine, to weep, to mourn, to be loved...by even one person in the world. When someone comes to us on their knees, dragged down by the world or by circumstances, is this not our only role?

In these moments I hope that I can be humble. Be kind. Forget ego. It has no place in the love and care of others. I hope that I am not listening to jump in with an even better example of the same. I strive to be present and listen with my heart so I may truly learn of their pain, their struggle, their journey..not to fix it...but to be there for them in their darkest hour. After all, isn't our presence what they sought?

Providing some of the wind force for others to soar and to disappear into the clouds of happiness and out of the pain. Is there a greater joy? I think not. Be present to someone who seeks you out today. Those moments may be all they need to not give up on living, love and life.